Focusing device



Aug. 7, 1928.

B. F. LOLLIS FOCUSING DEVICE Filed June 21, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l a u i V Aug. 7, 1928. 1,679,577

B. F. LOLLIS 'r-ocusl'nc- DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 21, 1923 ImfZant? Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN-F. LOLLIS, OF BEBWYN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OI ONE-HALF TO OTTO S.

FLATH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. I

IOCUSING DEVICE.

Application filed June 21,

My invention relates to a focusing device more especially intended for use 1n connection with railroad signal lamps of the type at present in use; that is to say my device is adapted for use in connection with signal lamps having comparatively small filaments and therefore necessitating accuracy in the adjustment of the lamp and its filament relative to the lens in order that a proper signal light and the marzimum efiiciency of the signal may be obtained.

In signal lamps employlng a comparatively small volt lamp or filament, it 1s essential to place the bulb at a predetermined point in the lamp housing relative to the focal point of the lens in order that the light-rays may be directed in the des red direction and the axis of the light-beam trained at the proper point relative to the right of way or track so as to secure the maximum and effective signal light meeting the requirements.

One object of my invention is to provide a focusing device which is adaptable to the lenses of signal lamps in use; which may be readily and accurately secured in place so as to positively determine the proper POSI- tion of the lamp or bulbrelative to the center of the lens in order that the signal light may be directed or focused on a g ven point on the right of way and these ob ects accomplished in a comparatively short period of time.

The objects and advantages of my invention will be more readily comprehended from the detailed description of the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a signal lamp and cover removed, with my improved focusing device secured in place.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the focusing device.

Figure 4 is a deteail view in perspective of the lower attaching end of the portion illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of the lamp housing and portion of the focusing device, with a part of the latter broken away.

Figure 6 is a view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

1923. Serial in. 646,741.

Figure 7 is a detail view taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of a sector of the centering and clamping portion of my improved focusing device.

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view of a modification.

7 My invention is especially intended for use in connection with railway signal lamps employing electric lamps or bulbs, which are usually of comparatively small voltage employ ng small filaments and therefore necessltatlng proper positioning of the bulb or lamps in the lamp housing, both in respect to the distance of the lamp or bulb from the lens and also its position laterally, relative to the center of the lens.

In order to disclose the application and function of my improved focusing device, it has been illustrated applied to a signal lamp which comprises the main housing 15 consisting of two side walls 16, 16, a bottom wall 17, a front wall 18 and partial rear wall 19; while the top or cover (not shown) is usually formed ,entirel removable and adapted to com letely enc ose the rear portion and top 0 the housing. The bottom 17 of the housing is apertured as at 20 for the electric wire or feed lines (not shown) leading from a suitable source of electric energy and connected to the terminals or binding posts insulatably mounted onthe bottom of the housing, but not shown in the drawings. The bulb 21 is removably mounted in a socket member 22, as for example by slot and pin connection shown at 22 and the socket member 22 adjustably secured in the split band portion 23 of a bracket 24; the split band portion being adapted to have gripping relation with the socket member 22 through the action of thumb-screw 25. The bracket member 24 in turn is provided with a horizontally disposed slotted foot portion adapted to receive a lug or post secured to an insulating block 26 secured on the bottom 17 of the housing; while the position of the bracket relative to the insulating block is maintained by means of the butterfly nut 27 The housing is suitably secured to the post or staff of the. semaphore with the lens disposed in the desired direction to direct the rays of light in a given manner relative to the right of way or track. The front wall 18 of the housing is provided with a suitable concavoconvex lens 28, whose inner or concavcd surface is usually stepped to provide the circumferential facets 29 arranged indifferent vertical planes as clearly shown in Figure 5.

As the housing construction and lamp or bulb mounting, as well as, the particular manner of mounting the housing or lamp forms no part of my present application, a more detailed description need not be entered into.

In order that the light-rays may be erly directed and a maximum efficient light obtained, it is essential to position the bulb where the filament will be centered relative to the lens and for that reason it is necessary to adjust the bulb both in a vertical and a horizontal manner to obtain the result' desired. Such adjustment of the bulb or lamp may be quickly effected by the employment of my focusing devlce which comprises a main frame ortion 30 having downwardly disposed en s 31, 32; the downwardly disposed end 32 being secured to the center of a plate or disc 33 and extending in a radial manner. The plate or disc 33 is adapted to fit into the lens receiving opening in the front wall 18 of the housing, namely on the concaved side of the lens. The end 32 is provided with a trunnion or hub portion 34 which is adapted to extend through a central opening in plate 33;-the

inner end of the hub portion 34 being preferably reduced and threaded to receive clamp-nut 35; and theplate and frame are also secured together by one or more screws as at 36 in Figures5 and 6. Intermediate of the plate 33 and the end 32 of the frame 30, I mount a metallic disc ;or plate 37 which is rotatably secured on the reduced end of trunnion 34, and this disc or plate 37 is provided with arcuate slots 38, 38, 38 eccentrically arranged relative to the center of the disc or plate 37, as clearly shown in Figure 6, at equi-distances apart and with one end of each slot extending to a point nearer the center of the disc than the other end thereof.

The plate 33, in the particular exemplification, is provided with three radially disposed slots 39, see Figure 6, each of which extends to a point in alignment with the arcuate slots 38 in the disc 37. Each slot 39 is adapted to receive a pin or screw 40 which extends through an opening 41 of a sector plate 42 of an expansible grip ing element or jaw; while the inner ends 0 the slots 39 with the arcuate slots 38 are intended to receive pins or screws. 43 which extend through the holes 44 of each sector plate 42 of the expansible element or jaw and the inner ends of the pins or screws 40,

and 43 also extend through and are operprop:

The forward side of disc or plate 33, in the particular illustration, is provided with three sector blocks 42 of identical size and configuration and when brought into close juxtaposition are preferably adapted to form a composite element or block of slightly smaller circumference than the disc or plate 33. A suitable lever 46, preferably provided with the more or less arcuate end as shown in Figure 6, is secured at the points 47, 47 to the disc 37 in order that disc 37 may be rotated about the trunnion 34 when the lever 46 is oscillated.

\ As is evident from the construction shown, movement of lever 46, so as to cause disc 37 to rotate in counter-clockwise direction,

will induce the pins or screws 43 to ride toward the outer ends of the arcuate slots 38 causing links 45 with the pins 40 to move toward the outer ends of the slots 39 in plate 33 and as the pins or screws carry the sector members 42, the latter willbe caused to move radially outwardly and as a result expand the clamping element or jaw on the forward side of plate 33. Movement of lever 46, so as to cause disc 37 to move in clockwise direction, will induce opposite movement of the various pins or screws and therefore cause an inward movement of the sector members 42 and therefore a contraction of the clamping element or jaw.-

The sector members42 are provided with a rear flat surface adapted to slide -on the disc or plate 33, while the forward or outer surfaces of the sectormembers are preferably provided with a gradual slope from the outer perimeter toward the center, where each sector is provided with a protruding hub portion 48 which is adapted to extend into the central depression or facet 49 of the lens 28 as shown in Figure 5. The outer edge of the sector members are adapted to extend into the outer circumferential grooveping or wedging relation with the facets on.

the concaved surface of the lens.

' The frame 30, which preferably consists of a single fiat bar provided with a reenforcing rib 31 on the lower side, is of length sufficient to extend from the "front or lens side of the lamp to a point substantially in alignment with the rear wall of the lamp housing and at a point intermediate of its ends, namely at a point substantially in alignment with the center of the housing, is providedwith an eye-piece 51. The eyepiecefil consists of an enlargement or boss formed integral with or secured to the frame til) member 30 and centrally apertured as shown at 52 in Figure 2; the upper end of the aperture being flared or dished, while the lower end is preferablyprovided with the usual spider-web or small crossed wires at 53 employed in transits and the like, whereby to center the lam 21 therebeneath. The rear depending en 31 of the frame member 30, is also rovided with an eyepiece 54, the axis. wliereof is in alignment with "the center or axis of-the lens-clamping means secured to the front depending end 32 of the frame member 30. The eye-- piece 54 is shown composed of a cylindrical block 55, having a central aperture 56 and a threadedshank 57 which extends through 4 an opening in the end 31 of the frame 30; while the shank 57 has an apertured piece 58 screwed thereon. The aperture of the piece 58 is also preferably provided with a spider-web or crossed wires as shown in the enlarged view Figure 7 at 59,-whereby to properly focus and center the filament of the lamp or bulb 21.

With the device as thus described, it is apparent that the lens-clamping means will properly position the frame 30. and therefore also position the eye-pieces 51 and 54; the eye-piece 51 enabling the operator to center the lamp or bulb 21 relative to the side walls of the lamp housing 15; while the eye-piece 54 will enable the proper adjustment, vertically, of the lamp or bulb 21 and therefore a proper positioning and centering of the lamp relative to the focal point or center of the lens in order that a maximum, eflicient signal lightmay be obtained.

In order that the signal-lamp 15 may be properly positioned on its support so that the light-rays may be focused on a given point on the track at a distance removed from the lamp, I provide the frame 30, preferably adjacent to the front end thereof,

5 with an upstanding arm or portion 60,

shown circular in cross section and preferably removably secured to the frame-member by means of the dowel-pins 61 which depend from the squared base portion of arm 60, as more clearly shown in Figure 4. The pins 61 are adapted to extend into suitable openings formed in an enlargement or boss formed on the front end of the frame member 30; which is also preferably provided with upstanding side flanges or wings 62 adapted to firmly engage opposite sides of the base of arm and prevent accidental displacement.

The upper end of arm 60 is shown enlarged and apertured to receive a sight-tube 63, whose ends are preferably slightly counterbored to provide eye-pieces as shown at 64.

It is evident that the sight-tube will be properly positioned relative to the axis of the/lens after the focusing device has been clamped in place on the lens, so that the operator, when looking through the sighttube 63, will be able to focus the light on the desired point in the right-of-w-ay by adjusting the lamp-housing laterally or vertically or both, as occasion may require.

The sight-tube 63 is preferably made removable as shown for convenience in handling when not in use; and as isapparent from the construction, accurate adjustments of the lamp or bulb,.as well as of the lamp housing, are readily accomplished and qgiickly and easily obtained, as centerin of t .e device is automatically accomplishe In Figure 9 I illustrate a slight modification of my invention in so far as the construction of the vertically disposed eye-piece is concerned. In this construction, instead of employing the eye-piece 51, as shown in the previous figures, I show the main frame 30, provided with a short angular sight-tube 65 disposed toward. the end of the frame provided with the eye-piece 54. The sighttube 65 may be formed integral with or otherwise suitably secured to the main frame 30, with; the bore of the tube constituting a continuation ofthe vertical passage through the frame 30. The bore through the tube 65 is preferably arranged in the angular manner shown and at the angle provided with a reflector or mirror 66 so arranged that the bulb 21 of the signal lamp will be visible to the observer when roperly positioned beneath the vertical portion of the bore upon looking through. the horizontally disposed portion of'the tube. With this construction the user may readily determine and adjust the position of the light, relative to the The outer end of the eye-tube is shown dished and may be provided with glass as shown at 67 which may be rightangularlv lined at the center to more readily determine whether the reflected light is exactly centered, and therefore properly positioned in the housing intermediate of the lens and the rear wall of the housing.

The constructions shown are believed to be the simplest and best embodiments of the invention which has been described in terms employed merely as terms of description and not as terms of limitation, as structural modifications are possible and may be made without. however, departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. In combination with the housing of a signal lamp provided with a concavo-convex lens, a focusing device comprising a frame Inn Ill)

lit)

of length substantially equal to the depth of the housin from front to rear, the ends of the frame being bent downwardly and parallel with each. other, an eye-piece carried by the rear end of the frame, clamping means carried by the forward end of the frame and adapted to form gripping relation with the lens, said eye-piece and clamp ing means having aligned axes, and means whereby said clamping means may be controlled.

2. A focusing device, comprising a frame provided with parallel depending portions, an eye-piece carried by one of said portions, clamping means carried by the other depending portion, the centers of said eyepiece and clamping means bemg aligned, means whereby the clamping means may be controlled, a second eye-piece secured to said frame at a point centrally between the depending portions, with the axis of said second eye-piece disposed at right angles to the'axis of the first eye-piece, and a third eye-piece mounted on said frame and arranged parallel with the axes of the first mentioned eye-piece and said clamping means in a plane above said frame.

3. A focusing device, comprising a frame provided with an eye-piece at one end, lens clamping means at the other end comprising radially movable sector plates, the axes of the eye-piece and said means being aligned, means involving a rotatable member having slot and pin connection with the sector plates whereby said plates may be controlled, and a sighting element above and removably secured on said frame, with means for maintaining said sighting element parallel with said frame.

4. A focusin device, comprisin a main frame having ownwardl exten ing parallel portions, a plate fixe 1y secured to one of said portions and provided with radially disposed slots, a second plate rotatably secured intermediate of said first plate and said depending frame portion and provided with arcuate slots arranged tangentially to the axis of said late, a plurality of sector members arranged on the opposite surface of the first plate, means disposed through the slots of both plates whereby the sector members are held in place against the first plate and caused to move radially toward and away from the axes of said plates, and eyepieces carried by said main frame, the one eye-piece bein aligned with the axes of said plates, while the other is arranged at rightangles thereto.

5. A focusing device of the character described, comprising a mainframe rovided with depending ends arranged para lel with each other, an eye-piece carried by one of said ends and disposed horizontally, a plurality of sector members carried by the other end of the frame and adapted to form an expansible and contractible lens ripping element, the axis of said element eing in alignment with the axis of said eyeiece,

means whereby the sector members 0 said element may be simultaneously moved radially, and a second eye-piece, carried by said flu main frame at a point intermediate of'the scribed, com rising a main frame provided with paralle y disposed depending ends, an

eye-plece carried by one of said ends, a plu-.

rality of radially movable lens en aging sector members, means whereby sai members are adjustably secured to the other end of said main frame, with the common axis of said sector members in alignment with the axis of said eye-piece, a second eye-piece carried by the main frame at a point intermediate of its ends with its axis disposed at right angles to and intersecting the focal axis of the first mentioned eye-piece, and a sighting elementcarried by the main frame in parallel relation to the axes of said first mentioned eye-piece and the sector members.

7.. A focusing device, comprising a main frame provided with a horizontal sightopening and a vertical sight-opening, with the axes of said openings arranged in intersecting relation, radially expansible and contractible sector plates secured to said main frame, provided with ste ped faces to engage the step ed face of the ens and with the common axis of the plates aligned with the axis of the horizontal sight-opening, lever mechanism for moving said plates in a radial direction, a vertically disposed frame portion mounted on the main frame, and a,

sight-tube carriedv by said frame portion,

with means whereby the axis of said tubewill be maintained parallel with the axes of said horizontal sightopening and said sector plates.

8. A focusing device of the character described, comprising a main frame provided with parallel depending ortions, an eye piece secured to one of said portions, a plate rotatably secured to the other depending portion, a plurality of sector members operatively connected with said plate, the sector members being made to move radially when said plate is rotated, the axes of said eyepiece and said members bein arranged in horizontal alignment, 9. secon eye-piece carried by said frame at a point intermediate of the depending portions, and a sight-tube secured on said main frame in parallel relation with the axes of said first eye-piece and the sector members.

9. In combination with a lamp housing having a concavo-convexed lens in the front secured to one end of said frame, sector members operatively connected with said late, each sector member bein rovided with circumferential facets or r1 ges, the facets or 6 ridges of the lens and said sector members being correlated, a lever secured to said plate whereby the latter may be rotated and the faceted surfaces of the sector members radially moved into clamping relation with the faceted surface of the lens, and an eye-piece secured to the other end of the main frame, with its axis arranged in horizontal alignment with the axis of said plate.

BENJAMIN F. LOLLIS. 

